Microsoft has announced its new topological quantum chip, Majorana 2. This latest processor features a lead-based material stack that enhances qubit stability by over 1000 times compared to its predecessor.
According to the company, the qubit lifespan in Majorana 2 exceeds 20 seconds, with some instances reaching up to a minute. In comparison, Majorana 1 had a lifespan ranging from 1 ms to 12 ms.
Microsoft has also achieved operation times of around 1 µs and a qubit size of approximately 0.01 mm.
A key change in the new chip involves the materials used. Many competitors, including Google and IBM, utilize aluminum conductors, while Microsoft has switched to lead. Jason Zander, the tech giant's vice president, stated that this change has led to the 1000-fold improvement in performance.
The company aims to develop a scalable quantum computer by 2029, with previous timelines cut roughly in half.
AI Assistance
Microsoft also noted that artificial intelligence has accelerated material discovery and improved manufacturing processes. AI tools analyzed scientific research, searched for suitable compounds, automated measurements, optimized production processes, and identified defects affecting qubit reliability.
Additionally, the company has opened access to the Microsoft Discovery platform for research and development. This platform allows companies to create teams of AI agents, connect them to internal data and external scientific sources, formulate hypotheses, plan experiments, analyze results, and iterate the cycle.
The quantum team utilized Discovery to manage workflows.
Corporate Vice President of Quantum Technologies at Microsoft, Zulfi Alam, described the automation of measurements using agent-based AI as a "breakthrough moment."
In June, D-Wave Quantum revealed a roadmap for the phased development of quantum systems, aiming to create a fault-tolerant quantum computer with 100 logical qubits by 2032.